Newlands move: talks confirmed (Newlands to Cape Town Stadium)

[dualmeister]

Talks are underway to possibly move WP rugby to the Cape Town Stadium.

Cape Town -- The ball is officially rolling on a possible move from Newlands to Cape Town Stadium by Western Province rugby.

That confirmation came on Thursday at a hastily-convened media briefing at Newlands, where mayor Patricia de Lille said that the city and rugby bosses had agreed to enter “formal exploratory talks” about a potential switch of major rugby to the larger Green Point venue which hosted matches during the 2010 soccer World Cup.

The highly significant step puts to an end, at least for the time being, the sometimes fractious relationship that has existed between the city and the WPRFU, which owns Newlands.

As De Lille put it: “There have been some fights (most notably around the intended Saracens match in the Heineken Cup at Cape Town Stadium, which was eventually cancelled – Sport24) ... but we’ve agreed bygones will be bygones and we can start afresh.”

She praised the “constructive spirit” in which the WPRFU had entered the process.

A similar conciliatory tone was largely struck by Tobie Titus, president of the rugby body, who said: “This is not an event; it is a process. It is not about us, but about the community we (serve).

“It is not an overnight issue. People need to have patience and respect the process we have embarked on. It is not going to be a matter of months ... it will be years.”

One of the biggest obstacles to a possible change of venue at this stage – Cape Town Stadium has a current capacity of around 56,000 to Newlands’ 48,000 – is the need for a greatly expanded corporate suites section at the initially soccer-geared newer facility, should rugby take occupancy there.

As Theuns Roodman, chief executive of the union, put it: “We have 300 suites here (Newlands) and they are a huge money-spinner for the union.”

In reply to a query from Sport24 over whether latest developments would affect any expansion or improvement plans at Newlands, the ageing facility which has wear-and-tear and other drawbacks, Roodman said that budget allocations for “normal maintenance” would be unaltered.

“If part of our roof blew off we would obviously want to repair it.”

Titus stressed that Newlands was more likely to be subjected to maintenance, for the comfort of existing stadium patrons, than “any expansion possibilities” in the short term.

He has occasionally appeared to come across as recalcitrant before, on the issue of a possible move, but insisted at the briefing: “I never said we would never move.

“It’s not in my lap to decide whether we go or not. We must go with facts to our constituency, our 90 clubs.”

Asked what would happen if the clubs, who are sometimes considered to wield too much power in WP rugby, refused to contemplate a move, Titus said that “we will cross that bridge when we come to it”.

A number of technical teams across all parties in the negotiations will be set up, and an appeal was made for public patience and that the process be “respected”.

“They will need the space to complete their work,” De Lille said.

News 24

 

[APoc184]

And that is where it will stay. Talks.

It won't happen.

 

[sand_man]

Pity!! I'm all for using the new stadiums whether they be in PE, Natal, Gauteng or CT...

 

[dualmeister]

It won't happen.

Personally I hope so. Newlands just has so much history associated with it.

 

[APoc184]

There are so many things to consider. History, facilities and most importantly the financial impact on WPRU.

But the reason I say it won't happen is because the WPRU has confirmed to Eye Witness News that it will take "years" before such a move will be decided on.

IMO they are just entertaining the City of Cape Town with these talks.

 

[Hamster]

The only reason this hasn't happened yet is because WPRU will have to pay rent at the CT stadium whereas they own Newlands (this was in the news a couple of weeks ago). I'm sure they will move if finances allow it and don't think "history" will play any significant role.

 

[danlr]

I think it will become more expensive in the next few years to stay at Newlands.

I also believe, if well planned and managed they can be financially better of moving.

There are plans drawn up for a massive development where the stadium is. The plans show a multi use development being developed there. Who knows SAB might buy it to expands their brewery - I'm sure they will be happy with extra space.

The money they make from the sale/development of Newlands can finance the cost of the rent paid at Cape Town for many many years

 

[Hamster]

I think it will become more expensive in the next few years to stay at Newlands.

I also believe, if well planned and managed they can be financially better of moving.

There are plans drawn up for a massive development where the stadium is. The plans show a multi use development being developed there. Who knows SAB might buy it to expands their brewery - I'm sure they will be happy with extra space.

The money they make from the sale/development of Newlands can finance the cost of the rent paid at Cape Town for many many years

Still, if you own the stadium you are not subject to someone else's rules and schedules etc.

 

[cr@zydude]

Still, if you own the stadium you are not subject to someone else's rules and schedules etc.

Except stuff like saftey laws, and policing. I read that the city want to start charging for police at Newlands. Also, I don't see Newlands getting a big draw test match anytime soon.

Roll on Ajax and WPRU at Cape Town Stadium.

 

[undesign]

I'd be happy. Newlands is way past it's sell by date. Green Point Stadium is awesome. I would go much more often to watch games if it was moved.

 

[KaMoS]

I'd be happy. Newlands is way past it's sell by date. Green Point Stadium is awesome. I would go much more often to watch games if it was moved.

agreed. I love CPT stadium and I would attend A LOT more games if it were there. Also, it's easier to get to CPT Stadium with the BRT (FREE) than to Newlands...

 

[Guantanamo]

This would be a great move. I know there some concerns about the boxes but I believe that there are temporary stands which were designed to be removed and replaced with boxes. Not sure how many this would add though. Also the idea of a "Club Cape Town" where by say the middle tier along the side lines is reserved for corporates with more space, more confortable seats etc and then access to similar facilities to a box works very well at Wembley and I am sure could work well here. It might even allow them to put a bit of a premium on the private boxes and allow smaller businesses in to "Club Cape Town."

The facilities are vastly improved, it is in a much better location, it is a damn sight prettier than the box that is Newlands and although the lower tier isn't quite as close to the field the middle and upper tiers have the best sight lines out of pretty much every stadium built in the last 15 years. I am sure there will be a boost in attendance simply because of convenience. Plus the money WPRU can make out of the land Newlands is on is quite a fair amount.

 

[iCare]

+1 for the move, as much as there is the nostalgia side to it I think the move would be a good thing all round

 

[McGuywer]

Except stuff like saftey laws, and policing. I read that the city want to start charging for police at Newlands. Also, I don't see Newlands getting a big draw test match anytime soon.

Roll on Ajax and WPRU at Cape Town Stadium.

Bokke vs Pumas is gonna be played at Newlands...

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/springboks/fixtures

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

Where are we going to braai before and after the game? Where...OMG...where?? Remember Grootte Schuur Primary rugby field is 75% of the day....

 

[cr@zydude]

Bokke vs Pumas is gonna be played at Newlands...

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/springboks/fixtures

Yes, but that's probably the worst of the matches this year, and they didn't get a match in 2011. Also, SARU look set to sign a deal to have test matches at Soccer City for the next 5 years, likely the NZ test.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

Yes, but that's probably the worst of the matches this year, and they didn't get a match in 2011. Also, SARU look set to sign a deal to have test matches at Soccer City for the next 5 years, likely the NZ test.

That has nothing to do with where WP Rugby is played or in what stadium. SARU wants to take the game to the people....

 

[jxharding]

Keep the stormers at newlands and make a new team who play at the stadium.
do whatever you want with this new team, they can be the darlings of the world, just leave the stormers at newlands

 

[waynegohl]

Tobie Titus came on tv saying Newlands would never move. Patricia De Lille was at last weeks game, something went down for sure.

 

[Xmailer9]

WP Rugby is basically bankrupt. How on earth are they going to maintain that stadium ?